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Historic places in Nairobi

7 historic buildings, sites and memorials in Nairobi.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Historic places in Nairobi

  1. See

    Karen Blixen Museum

    Of interest if you have read Karen Blixen’s book Out of Africa or the movie. Her house is now the home of the museum. You have to be accompanied by a guide to visit the house, but you can walk around the gardens on your own. If you're not into the movie, and don't know the history of the house, then it may not be worth your while taking the hour or so it takes, and the price of admission. The house has little remaining original furnishings, but there are some of the props used in the movie here (although the movie wasn't filmed here - it was create on a set). It is on the outskirts of Nairobi (in the suburbs of Karen) and a taxi or bus can get you to the museum. It's not too far from the Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre, so these attractions can easily be combined in a single trip.

  2. See

    Nairobi National Museum

    Where visitors can learn about Nairobi, its history and culture. The museum was founded in 1910.

    8:30AM-5:30PMAdults: Kenyan citizens Ksh 200, East African residents Ksh 600, non-residents Ksh 1200

  3. See

    National Railway Museum

    Visitors can learn more about the history of Kenya’s railways and the Kenya/Uganda railway. It also houses some of the engines and rolling stock from the country’s colonial period.

    Daily 8AM-5PM (including holidays)Adults: Kenyan citizens Ksh 200, East African residents Ksh 500, non-residents Ksh 600

  4. See

    Olorgesailie pre-historic site

    World renown as "world's largest stone-tool factory". Part of the Smithsonian Human Origins global locations. The site has camping spots and nice bandas-huts for rent, as well shower and WC facilities. If you're up for it, you can hike Mt Olorgesailie, but it's an all day event.

  5. See

    UN Office at Nairobi

    UN Complex Gigiri

    Sitting between the Karura Forest and the US Embassy, it houses international organisations such as the UN Environmental Programme, UN-HABITAT and is the basis of all UN operations in Africa. Africa's first completely carbon- and water-neutral building was opened here in 2011. Guided tours allow tourists to see the major buildings and gifts from member states and walk along a nearby nature trail, while learning about the history and work of the UN.

  6. See Not mapped

    Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family

    Striking modernist Catholic Church Cathedral designed in 1960. The Basilica is the seat of the Archdiocese of Nairobi.

  7. See Not mapped

    All Saints' Cathedral

    Cathedral of the Anglican Church of Kenya, built in 1924.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Nairobi (CC BY-SA 4.0).